Attacker Spared Prison Time

Woman Was Beaten, Kicked

December 01, 2001|By THOMAS D. WILLIAMS; Courant Staff Writer

A 30-year-old Hartford man with three prior convictions for possession of marijuana was sentenced to a suspended prison term Friday for beating and kicking a woman so hard she was hospitalized for head and chest wounds.

Hartford Superior Court Judge Elliot N. Solomon said it was rare for him to give a suspended sentence for a crime in which an attacker possessed a gun. But, he added, there was no evidence Maurice Jernigan intended to use the 9mm revolver on the victim, whomhe knew, or anyone else.

The weapons charge to which Jernigan pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum term of a year in prison unless there is, for instance, a showing there was no intent to use the weapon.

Solomon sentenced Jernigan, of 62 Yale St., to an 8-year suspended sentence and probation for five years on charges of second-degree assault and possession of a pistol without a permit. Earlier, the prosecution dropped a second-degree assault with a weapon count.

Assistant State's Attorney Donna Mambrino had recommended at least five years in prison for the bloody, bruising injuries Jernigan inflicted upon the female victim. Jernigan had repeatedly kicked her in the chest and head after he had knocked her down about 8:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at his grandfather's apartment at 96 Magnolia St.

Jernigan said he had been drinking hard liquor and was upset because his grandfather, the man who brought him up, had been buried that day. He accused the neighbors, including the female victim of his attack, of taking advantage of his 72-year-old grandfather by mistreating him and taking his money.

But police said witnesses said Jernigan pushed the victim down and repeatedly kicked her until she pleaded for someone to call the police. ``I'll give you something to call the police about !'' witnesses said Jernigan said as he continued to kick her prone body. As the blood flowed, one witness said, she tried to get Jernigan to leave and he replied, ``You're pretty lucky I don't shoot you ... '' He then showed her the silver-colored revolver. Soon afterward, witnesses said, he fled the apartment.

But Jernigan rushed outside, only to confront Officer Steve Pepler who, before arresting him, said he repeatedly told Jernigan to put his hands up and put down the revolver.

But Hartford defense attorney Nicholas Cardwell argued that Jernigan was picking up his grandfather's possessions, including the revolver, that night and never intended to use it. And, despite his state of high agitation, said Cardwell, Jernigan never used the weapon. The whole episode, said Cardwell, was out of character for Jernigan.